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Sunday, September 11, 2011

9/11: Where Are You Now

September 11, 2001 is a day that no one will forget. It is a day that united us as a nation and is a day that we share together, although we all had our own experience. It seems like 9/11 is what the Kennedy Assassination is for my mother’s generation. We all remember exactly where we were when we heard the horrible news.

I was living in Oaxaca, Mexico and the twincesses had just been born; they were just over two weeks old. My mother and my nana were with us in Mexico to help with the girls. We were all sitting in the living room and my (now) ex-husband called the house to tell us to turn on the news.

I felt like I was seeing something that was not real. It looked like a scene out of a movie. “This was the United States,” I thought. Things like this do not happen to us. We are invincible. My father was in DC, working on a military base, no less, and we were unable to contact him by phone for hours. It was very scary. My mother and my nana extended their stay in Mexico because the flights to the U.S. were closed and it took them a while to get their flight rebooked.

Today is a day to reflect and remember this day. We mourn the lives that were lost on that day. We honor the countless heroes who helped others on that day and the days, months, and years that have followed. I am particularly humbled by the stories of the people on Flight 93 who had the courage to stand up to the terrorists, even though they knew their horrible fate. It's been almost impossible for me to watch the special coverage for this ten year rememberance; I get tears in my eyes every time I see the plane crash into the tower.

As I remember where I was on 9/11, I think that it is also important to consider where I am today.

Where are you today?

As I see the rebirth and rebuilding of ground zero, I see parallels to what has happened in the past few years of my life. The past 5 years have truly been a time of a new beginning for me. A new life. Starting from ground zero and building something or someone strong, resilient, and full of hope. Starting over without any material objects, but possessing a strong spirit, body, and mind.

As you remember where you were on September, 11, 2001, think about where you are today, September 11, 2011. How are you making your mark on other people’s lives and on the world?

xoxo

St. Paul's Chapel stands - without so much as a broken window. Little miracle. ~ Rudy Giuliani

This church, located just steps from ground zero, served as a sanctuary for rescue and relief workers and is a strong symbol of hope.

1 comment:

I shudder to remember that day! I was in college and my professor abruptly canceled class telling us Washington has been attacked. I ran to my dorm room as did many others whose parents and family worked in the District. The office where I delivered papers to at the Pentagon as an intern was incinerated as was every one in it.

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